Today Dover against high flying Hastings in the 3rd Round of the Faversham Trophies Cup. Dover faced a challenging task of being the first team to stop unbeaten Hastings in what was a fiercely competitive match. Both teams were searching for stronghold in the game and it was Hastings who went closest first with Tyler King tipping a fierce shot from close range brilliantly onto the crossbar. Dover frustrated the away side and were just couldn’t find the right through ball. Hastings frustrations seemed to get the better of them with a number of over aggressive challenges left one Dover player requiring an ambulance for what looked a serious leg injury. As the referee tried to get hold of the game which appeared to be escalating Hastings were awarded a challenge after a clumsy challenge in the Dover box. The goal spurred Dover on and when George Nikaj was sent clean through from Jensen Underwood’s fantastic cross just before half time it was only his own player who prevented him from scoring after a breakdown in communication. Half time arrived and seemed to settle both teams and Dover pressed from the outset of the second half. Fantastic teamwork and grit from the Dover players pushed Hastings back for most of the second half. Similarly to the first half Dover were unable to find the final ball to unlock the Hastings tight defence. When Dover finally did break through Liam McVie was unlucky not to score 15 mins from the end as the Hastings GK did well to stop from close range. The more Dover pressed for an equaliser the more chances they had to take from the back, and after the away side hit the crossbar again in one chance a few moments later they managed to score the second goal which all but saw them through. Dover refused to give up and Kai Griffin almost caught the Hasting GK out from distance but despite their best efforts Dover were unable to find the break through. A much better team performance left Dover with more satisfaction than previous weeks but in the end came up short.